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Serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccines in Africa

Paul A Kristiansen1, Hannah J Jørgensen1, Dominique A Caugant1,2

  • 1a 1 WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Meningococci, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggata 8, 0456 Oslo, Norway.

Expert Review of Vaccines
|September 12, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Mass vaccination with the meningococcal conjugate vaccine MenAfriVac has successfully prevented serogroup A meningitis epidemics in Africa. This strategy also protects unvaccinated individuals, highlighting its public health impact.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Recurrent epidemics of serogroup A meningococcal meningitis pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in under-resourced African nations.
  • Bacterial meningitis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the monovalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac) in preventing serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis epidemics.
  • To assess the herd protection conferred by mass vaccination campaigns.

Main Methods:

  • Administration of a single dose of MenAfriVac to individuals aged 1-29 years in sub-Saharan Africa through mass vaccination campaigns.
  • Epidemiological surveillance to monitor the incidence of serogroup A meningococcal meningitis.

Main Results:

  • Successful prevention of serogroup A meningococcal meningitis epidemics in the vaccinated population.
  • Demonstrated herd protection, extending benefits to unvaccinated individuals.

Conclusions:

  • The MenAfriVac vaccine is highly effective in controlling serogroup A meningococcal meningitis epidemics in Africa.
  • Continued development of conjugate vaccines for other serogroups and broader vaccine use (pneumococcal, Hib) are crucial for comprehensive bacterial meningitis control in the region.
Keywords:
MenAfriVacherd protectionimmunizationinvasive meningococcal diseasemeningitis epidemicmeningococcal carriagemeningococcal conjugate vaccinevaccine coverage

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